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A marathon runner who turned heads by completing the grueling New York City race completely bare-chested has shared the heartbreaking story behind her viral stunt.
New Jersey-based mother Lauren Spiezia completed the grueling 42-kilometer (26-mile) race topless to raise awareness for breast cancer after surviving her own battle with the disease.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at just 31, after being dismissed by two doctors for being “too young.”
The devastating diagnosis forced her to undergo 16 brutal rounds of chemotherapy, six rounds of immunotherapy, a surgery to remove the breast tissue from both breasts, reconstructive surgery, and the removal of her fallopian tubes due to a cancer gene mutation.
Throughout her exhausting treatment, she promised herself she would run the famous marathon as a personal goal.
“There was a moment after my mastectomy where I felt insecure about my scars on my chest, and I really hated that I allowed it to make me feel badly about myself when in fact they were just a sign of strength,” she told news.com.au.
“That’s when I had the idea about running it topless.”
“My goal was to give women and men going through treatment hope and courage to persevere, and make them feel less alone on the journey,” she explained.
“This was a movement about body positivity, advocacy, and empowering women, full stop.”
For those wondering about the physical toll of running without a sports bra, the runner explained her mastectomy had severed the nerves in her chest, meaning the lack of support wasn’t painful.
In addition to raising vital awareness, the brave survivor’s running team also managed to raise an incredible $50,000 USD for breast cancer research.
Meanwhile, hundreds flocked to social media to weigh in on the bold marathon act.
“As a breast cancer survivor myself I love this so much!” one person wrote.
Other emotional supporters praised the act, writing: “So inspiring” and “Free the nip.”
Many others questioned how painful the run must have been.
“Good for her but the pain of no sports bra for that long, I could never haha,” someone shared.
However, it wasn’t all positive, with many slamming the act as ‘inappropriate.’
“This is a ridiculous way to support health, this is a friendly family event, and this is not the place to run topless,” an angry user commented.
“It’s completely inappropriate to run topless at a family event,” another added.
Despite the mixed online reaction, the inspiring mom stands firmly behind her run, grateful for the opportunity to help remove the shame from women’s bodies.
Her terrifying health battle has also inspired a major career pivot, leading her to launch a non-toxic skincare brand called LakLak Beauty after she struggled to find safe products during her chemotherapy.
